Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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456. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a reduced penalty will be applied in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13585/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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A report detailing findings of an inspection carried out by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) on 12^thJune 2017 was referred to my Department’s Cross-Compliance Unit for attention. This report detailed breaches relating to the cross-compliance requirements under SMR 3 - Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Flora and Fauna.

The breaches identified related to damage caused to an area of land designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) as a result of the clearing and reclamation of land. These works were carried out without the permission of NPWS.

The breaches resulted in a 20% penalty being applied against the 2017 Direct Schemes payments. The person named was notified of the decision on 13th December 2017, which took account of correspondence submitted by the person named in November 2017.

The person named subsequently sought a review of this decision, the outcome of which was to up-hold the original inspection findings. The person named was notified of this outcome on 9^thMarch 2018.

If the person named is dissatisfied with this outcome, the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months.